Customer Reviews

Album

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OK, here we go...first off, these Models are NOT the acclaimed Australian band from the 80s. In all seriousness, these Models are exactly that, REAL MODELS who formed their own girlgroup. They look like they COULD become supermodels in the future, they have that look.

I know what you all are thinking...OH NO, or NAOMI CAMPBELL, and I don't blame you one bit, but these models are actually good!! They are a group of 3 women (formerly 4) who met while working for French modeling agency L'Agence de Mannequins: Romanian blonde stunner Anca (who resembles Uma Thurman a bit), black Ethiopian stunner Kewe (sorta like a young Grace Jones), and Spanish beauty Irene (who resembles Cindy Crawford a tad)...while their gorgeous former groupmate Mary (no idea where she is from) left midway through the album, she just sang on the single "Ding A Dong". They got together simply cuz they wanted to form their own girlgroup as they enjoy singing and performing, period.

French indie labels Heben and Xanadu felt their vibe and signed them, with distribution through Epic/Sony. The Japanese version we have here has 4 bonus tracks...1 exclusive cut and 3 remixes, making the Models' debut album, called simply "The Album", a full 16 tracks, as opposed to the French 12-tracker.

OK, the album. It's half covers, half originals, and it has an infectious, irresistible, old-school disco dance vibe, with rock + roll seasoning. No ballads!! This disc is a ballad-free zone, which is very refreshing really. Much of it has like a Kylie Minogue-meets-ABBA-meets-American Idol feel, which actually works!!

The tracks, in order:
1- "Fame" (the Irene Cara classic, and they do a fun job)...8/10
2- "Ding A Dong" (an original and the first single, like classic ABBA!!)...9/10
3- "Music Comes And Bang" (another original, and more ABBA style)...10/10
4- "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (the Frankie Valli 1967 classic, and they put a cool disco spin on it)...8/10
5- "Highway To Hell" (yeppers, the 1979 AC/DC classic, and it has to be heard to be believed...they keep the heavy riffy guitar work intact, but add a dancey arrangement...the end result resembles En Vogue's hit "Free Your Mind", while staying true to AC/DC...and the girls go OFF!!!)...10/10
6- "Knock On Wood" (the Eddie Floyd classic made a bigger hit by Amii Stewart in 1979...the ladies' take is like a modernized Amii Stewart version, as good as Fantasia Barrino's too on AI3)...9/10
7- "Boy" (now the stretch of originals, into Kylie Minogue territory, but much lusher, really great classic-styled song!!)...10/10
8- "Everybody Needs Somebody" (like a lusher take on Cher's "Believe", and it works nicely)...9/10
9- "Tonight" (more Kylie meets Cher in the plush lounge of Studio 54...LOVE it)...9/10
10- "Inside Of You" (first of my fave of the originals...if given exposure, could be a massive hit...just an AMAZING disco-ey pop confection really)...10/10
11- "Nobody" (the second perfect pop tune in a row...so good, even the Pet Shop Boys would sit up and take notice)...10/10
12- "Happy Birthday" (back to covers land...this time, an obscure Stevie Wonder song, and it's awesome, even daring)...8/10
13- "Lady Marmalade" (their only misstep on the disc, too predictable and even pointless, with the glaring lyrical take using the line "Moulin Rouge" straight outta the remake from the movie "Moulin Rouge" by Pink, X-tina, Eve, and I forgot who else...)...3/10
14 + 15- "Fame" (Extended Version + Club Mix) (decent remixes, I prefer the former one, track 14)...9/10
16- "Ding-A-Dong" (Club Mix) (ditto...decent remix)...8/10

Overall rating...9/10

Hopefully, people will discover this obscure gem...but with the expensive price, they may not take the leap...all I say is, if you find this in a clearance bin at Virgin, or have the extra funds and feel like chomping on a fun dance-pop record and play it at a houseparty or a club...go for it!!!